Tech Jobs in Madison, WI

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Madison, WI—a city where the University of Wisconsin fuels a vibrant tech scene, offering a blend of cutting‑edge startups and established firms. The high quality of life, bike‑friendly streets, and proximity to Lake Mendota make it appealing for talent at all stages.

Tech companies range from the Microsoft campus and U.S. Bank’s data analytics hub to Northwestern Mutual’s insurtech division and Medtronic’s biomedical engineering labs. The city also hosts emerging clean‑tech firms, educational software startups, and AI research labs tied to UW.

While Madison’s cost of living remains lower than Chicago or Minneapolis—average rent $1,400 and median home price around $350,000—salaries are competitive. Transparent pay data helps candidates gauge whether a role’s compensation matches the local market and personal budget.

Principal Engineer

Company: Northwestern Mutual

Location: Milwaukee, WI

Posted Feb 01, 2025

Northwestern Mutual is a growing, innovative company that invests in its people and makes a positive difference in the financial security industry. They are seeking a Principal Engineer with a proven track record in solutioning, implementing, and delivering on business strategy. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of technology solutions, strong analytical and leadership skills, and experience in mentoring engineers. The role involves applying industry-leading best practices, designing high-impact solutions, and influencing technical business and product leadership. The company offers competitive compensation, benefits, and opportunities for career growth.

Technical Product Manager - Contact Center Experience Solutions

Company: Northwestern Mutual

Location: Milwaukee, WI

Posted Feb 01, 2025

Northwestern Mutual is a strong, innovative, and growing company that invests in its people and makes a positive difference. They are seeking a highly motivated Infrastructure & Cloud Services Product Manager for a hybrid role based in Milwaukee, requiring 3 days onsite per week. The role involves building tools and experiences for development teams and end-users, focusing on secure platform consumption with connectivity governance, auditability, and operations. The candidate will work with a team of developers and engineers to define product vision and strategy, and deliver experiences to enable clients' financial security. Key responsibilities include setting product vision, analyzing KPIs, gathering requirements, designing partnerships, conducting data and customer research, prioritizing features, and facilitating ceremonies. Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree, 24 years of experience, and at least 2 years in a Product Management role. Familiarity with the financial services industry, BI tools, and Scrum Framework is preferred. Northwestern Mutual offers competitive compensation, flexible work schedules, concierge service, comprehensive benefits, and employee resource groups.

Assistant Director-Operational Risk Management

Company: Northwestern Mutual

Location: Milwaukee, WI

Posted Feb 01, 2025

Northwestern Mutual is seeking an Assistant Director for Enterprise Risk Management. The role involves coordinating and monitoring operational risk across the enterprise, designing and evolving the risk management strategy, and collaborating with various business partners. The candidate should have a degree in business, finance, risk management, or a related field, and at least seven years of progressive experience in risk management, audit, compliance, or related fields. Key skills include excellent communication, strategic thinking, problem-solving, and leadership abilities. The company offers competitive compensation, flexible work schedules, concierge service, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of tech jobs are available in Madison, WI?
<p>Madison offers a wide range of tech roles including software engineer, data scientist, product manager, cybersecurity analyst, UX/UI designer, cloud architect, and DevOps engineer. Companies such as Microsoft, U.S. Bank, Northwestern Mutual, Medtronic, and Booz Allen Hamilton regularly hire for these positions, while local startups focus on AI, clean tech, and educational software.</p>
How are remote and on‑site work trends in Madison’s tech market?
<p>Approximately 70% of tech roles in Madison support hybrid or fully remote arrangements, reflecting the city’s strong broadband infrastructure and the prevalence of co‑working spaces like CoWork Madison and The Foundry. On‑site positions remain popular for roles requiring close collaboration, such as embedded systems engineers at Medtronic or data‑engineers at U.S. Bank.</p>
Who are the major tech employers in Madison?
<p>Key employers include <strong>Microsoft</strong> (software & AI), <strong>U.S. Bank</strong> (data analytics & fintech), <strong>Northwestern Mutual</strong> (insurtech), <strong>Medtronic</strong> (biomedical engineering), <strong>Booz Allen Hamilton</strong> (consulting & cybersecurity), and <strong>Accenture</strong> (digital services). Emerging players such as <strong>EcoVadis</strong> (sustainability tech) and <strong>BioTera</strong> (biotech analytics) also contribute to the ecosystem.</p>
What salary expectations should I expect in Madison?
<p>Median salaries in Madison are competitive with the Midwest: entry‑level software engineers earn $70k–$90k, mid‑level $90k–$120k, and senior roles $120k–$160k. Data scientists average $115k, product managers $105k, and UX designers $95k. Cost‑of‑living adjustments keep these figures attractive given average rent of $1,400 and median home price $350,000.</p>
What advice do you have for relocating to Madison for tech work?
<p>Start by researching neighborhoods: Downtown for city life, East Side for proximity to UW, West Side for quieter streets, and Midtown for a mix of residential and commercial spaces. Use local housing sites like <em>MadisonHousing.org</em> and contact campus housing offices for student‑friendly options. Join Meetup groups such as <strong>Madison Tech Meetup</strong> and <strong>Women in Tech Madison</strong> to network. Consider a short visit to test the area before signing a lease, and leverage employer relocation assistance or local programs like <strong>Madison Office of Economic Development</strong> for housing and tax incentives.</p>

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